Chapter 63 : Epilogue

Epilogue

Cara

“Ciao… fratello mio.”

Vassily stilled at the sound of my voice. The door of his office paused midway from closing, his hand froze.

I smirked at his reaction. I never caught him by surprise despite my random appearance.

“Is something the matter, Vassily?” The tone of my voice was smug and teasing and I knew he noticed that even with his back facing me.

He slowly turned around, eyebrows knitted together in a frown. “What are you doing here, Cara?” He sauntered towards his desk, not happy that I was the one occupying it.

“What are you doing here?” I returned his question with conviction. “Of all places you have business with, it had to be England, huh. Couldn’t you be more obvious enough?”

“I thought I was trying to be.” He retorted mockingly, arms crossed in front of his chest as he stood in front of his desk. “You know what, why don’t you just answer my question instead considering you already know mine.”

I let out a sardonic smirk. “Let her go.”

For the first time in my life, I saw Vassily give me a deep scowl. I’ve never seen him so furious at me. The veins of his neck and forehead, the redness of his face, the clenched of his fists and the grit of his teeth were a dead giveaway.

“Stay away from my business, Cara. I never cared about you whoring around that dog of yours.”

The abruptness as I stood made him retreat back. I stepped around his desk and prowled towards him.

“C-cara… I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” He stepped back as I stepped forward towards him. His death stare immediately melted into that of a guilty look.

He stopped once his back was trapped against the door. I ceased just a foot away from him.

I sneered. “Afraid of a woman, I see.”

His eyes softened looking at me. I don’t need his guilt. He had said it so mindlessly, forgetting who I was in his life. We are practically siblings and he dares to insult me. I wonder what he had done this time for him to act this way. It was obviously a defense mechanism.

“As I recall, you were the one who messed with Sol’s relationship with Hailynn.”

“And yet, you’re doing it now. It’s ironic, isn’t it? You flew here to what? To reprimand me because of my relationship?” Although now toned down, his anger grew back. “I thought we had an agreement to no longer meddle in each others’ affairs.”

“I wouldn’t have cared, Vassily. I don’t care if you’re just whoring around either. But of all female species on this Earth, it had to be Craig Hunter’s daughter.”

“So what?” He seethes. “Are you fucking lecturing me about that? I vowed that they will pay with their blood, Cara. I will not stop not until I know I finish off their bloodline.”

“She’s innocent.” I argued.

“His blood ran through her veins.”

I grit my teeth. “You will regret this, Vassily Ivanov. You have put our families’ honor into shame. You brought shame to the name of your father.” I saw his face had quickly faltered and I then realized he, too, had realized this but his revenge had already started eating him alive. “You have made your father unable to rest in peace.” His interest suddenly shifted down to the floor. Bringing the death of his father never really pleased him.

“If you’re unable to uphold our parents’ legacy, might as well step down. Stop this, Vassily.” I challenged him, taking one step closer to him. I made sure he sees the gravity of my words. “Or you’ll face me. Our relationship be damned. I will no longer care that you are my brother.”

He glowers at me. His eyes filled with contained rage. “What? So you’re letting her roam free as if she has nothing to do with this? It’s as if you’re protecting her.”

“She’s innocent.”

“And so I’ve heard.”

“We do not condemn the innocent, Vassily.” My accent was leaking, only showing that I was growing tired and frustrated of this conversation. My patience was running thin and I wanted nothing more than to beat him until realization smacked him in the face. This man is too consumed by his hatred and vengeance. I will not let his emotions cloud and ruin our parents– our families’ honor and legacy. “I don’t care where she came from. As long as she’s innocent, you will have to go through me.”

My eyes looked at him sharply and daringly, conveying the gravity of my words. Vassily Ivanov isn't happy with my decision. I gave him a last look before I stepped to the side to grab the door handle.

I was unable to pull it open when darkness suddenly consumed me. Vassily shouts my name, his arms engulfed me, avoiding a heavy fall on the floor.

—

Dylan

“What the fuck did you to her?!” I don’t care if this guy is like Cara’s brother or that he’s some big time mafia boss. If something terrible happens to her, I’m going to turn this world upside down.

“I told you she suddenly fainted!” He growled.

I have heard that line a couple of times today and I’ve asked him countless times what he did to her. I still couldn’t believe he didn’t lift a finger on her. I knew about their growing rift between them. Cara was not happy about his recent activities. She had talked to me about it numerous times until she finally came here and confronted him.

Cara laid on the bed in one of his guest rooms. She was sleeping peacefully while we were arguing. He brought her here and called a doctor to his home. I was staying at one of the hotels, waiting for her to come back from her visit to this guy. She asked me not to come along and I did without question. Imagine receiving a call from Franco telling me that Cara fainted. I rushed here, racing against time. I was fucking worried that something bad happened to her because of this ruffian.

I despised him then. I despise him now.

“If something happens to her-”

“I know.” He exclaimed, cutting me off. “Franco is already breathing down my neck.”

I glared at him in response. I frowned when I noticed that his mansion was too quiet for a big shot like him. His guards here were not that many. Cara’s estate was not like this. Until now, I’m still having trouble remembering their faces and names because there are too many of them.

I squeezed her hand tightly, unable to let her go. I couldn't deny the fact that despite that I’m blaming him for what happened to her, his concern for her was unmistakable. Who wouldn’t anyway. I could even feel Franco’s anxiousness from outside as he guarded the door. He had a mask on but I knew him enough now to identify his emotions.

“I have the results.” The doctor announced as soon as he opened the door and stepped inside.

Vassily and I turned to his direction in a swift movement that I felt an ache in my neck at the suddenness.

“Congratulations, you’re going to be a father!” His grin was so wide, it almost split his face. His excitement was unable to delay the news.

“What?” My mouth was hanging open, eyes wide, stunned at the news. I turned to Cara, surprised and thankful that she’s finally awake. It was her voice that overlapped my question.

“You’re awake.” I said, leaning to kiss her forehead.

“You heard me.” The doctor responded. His grin was living rent free on his face at his announcement.

My face twitched in annoyance when I heard Vassily’s laugh.

—

“Well… that was unexpected.” Vassily uncrossed his arms and inserted it in the pockets of his black slacks. He had a playful grin on his face as his eyes traveled between Cara and me.

Cara rolled her eyes. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s giving you an advantage that I’d be staying away from your business.”

“I’d appreciate it if you do.” His tone was now serious. “This isn’t about what you and I believed in anymore, Cara. You’re pregnant. He’s not going to be happy if something happens to you.” He nodded his head towards me. “I already had an earful today. He’s making my head ache with all the yelling.”

I glared at him. I don’t want to bite back. Cara already fainted because of stress. She was still so pale. I can’t wait to fly back to our home.

“I’m still mad at you, Vassily. You’re lucky I can’t do anything about it right now.”

“I understand.” He nodded. “And I don’t blame you for it.”

After that… tensed goodbye, we drove back to the hotel. Despite wanting to go home as soon as possible, I refused to fly back knowing she’s not fully rested and completely fine.

“So…” I voiced out, not liking the super quiet atmosphere inside the car. I played with her fingers that were entwined with mine.

“How the hell did I get pregnant?” She asked, turning to me. I stiffened, blushing at the obvious answer to her question. She narrowed her eyes on me. “I sure hope you didn’t replace my pills with something else.”

“Of course not.” I was shaking my head crazily, denying her claims.

“How did it happen then?” Her eyebrows knitted together in wonder. “As expected of my husband… your semen is just too strong.”

My eyes widened. Out of embarrassment, I covered her mouth with my hand, my other arm wrapped her around closer to me. I knew his men already heard it. The heat in my body was making me sweat and I knew I was as red as a tomato.

Franco will fucking tease me and laugh at me the moment Cara is off earshot.

“Raise the barrier please! I mean the partition. The partition!” Thankfully, they listened to me, knowing Franco was the one driving the car.

“Since when are you the boss here?” She asked as soon as I let her go.

“Stop saying embarrassing things.” I was still flushed and this woman still managed to be so calm and had the time to tease me.

She chuckles. “Oh, tesoro. I was only stating the truth. Unless of course, you did something with my pills.” She squints her eyes, studying me with her arms crossed.

“I swear, baby. You know I respect and support your decisions. So if you still don't want to have kids with me, I’m totally fine with that. I’m just here happy to be with you.” I gave her my most honest smile.

Ever since we got married, I’ve been daydreaming about having kids with her. Cara is an independent woman and with her status right now, I doubt that she’d want an addition to the family right away. Her taking pills was already a hint that she doesn’t want to have a baby yet. Or maybe she really doesn’t want it. But I don’t care either way. I support whatever her decisions. As long as I’m by her side, I’m the happiest.

“Well…” She pondered. “To be honest, I was waiting for the right time. I wanted to enjoy our time together. Just us. Fucking like rabbits.” Ugh, this woman. She deliberately wants me to be a walking tomato. “But… I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She grins mischievously.

My heart flutters as I smile. “I love you, Cara.” I confess, kissing her temple then her cheeks. I was trying hard not to grin in so much happiness. A baby in the family is a cherry on top. I’m fucking so excited, I’m about to burst.

“I’m sure you do, tesoro.”